Device for washing nasal cavities and collecting catarrhal matter

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a device for washing the nasal cavities with a nebulized treatment liquid. It comprises a base body, a atomizer chamber containing a washing liquid, means for nebulizing the liquid in said chamber and dispensing the atomized liquid to the nasal cavities for washing and a chamber for collecting the return liquid and catarrhal matter from the nasal cavities. The atomizer chamber ( 12 ) and collection chamber ( 13 ) are positioned side by side above the base body, and the collection chamber communicates with a dispensing exit of the atomized liquid to the nasal cavities. The two chambers may be defined each by a respective element or by a single piece.

FILED OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention generally concerns treatment liquid nebulizingdevices and refers especially to a device for washing the nasalcavities, also called nasal douche.

STATE OF THE ART

[0002] Devices are already known, for example for aerosol therapy andthe washing, or douche, of the nasal cavities, etc., that comprise atank for a medical or washing liquid and means for taking the medical orwashing liquid from the tank and nebulizing this by means of a flow ofair under pressure coming from a compressor and for conveying thenebulized liquid to the nasal cavities through a dispensing hole, amask, a mouthpiece or other accessory.

[0003] One of such devices essentially comprises a bell-shaped body thatdefines an atomizer chamber containing a washing liquid into which issubmerged a spray nozzle connected to an injector of air under pressurealigned with an exit hole for the atomized liquid to escape towards theuser. A second body arranged like a skirt around the bell-shaped bodydefines, with the same bell-shaped body, a chamber for collecting,through an opening in the top, catarrhal matter from the treated nasalcavities. The second body or skirt is movable in height between twopositions to define two different ways of using the device.

[0004] Substantially, the chamber containing the liquid to be atomizedand the secretion collection chamber are concentric, defined bycomponent parts associated in a relatively complex manner and which makethe device structure complicated and costly.

[0005] Another device known for washing nasal cavities has beenconceived and configured to make the device easier to use, to clean andto store. For this purpose, the washing liquid tank and chamber forcollecting the return liquid and secretions is designed on two levels,the first in a bottom part and the second in an upper part of the devicebody, separated.

[0006] On the other hand, the compressor to which an aerosol or nasaldouche device is connected is not always selected and sized to provide aflow of air suitably compatible in terms of flow rate and pressure withthe characteristics of the device and/or the size of the atomizedparticles to be generated and used. Sometimes, the compressor isoversized, so flow rate and pressure are excessive with respect to theenvisaged requirements and flow of atomized liquid to be obtained. Inother cases the atomizing device can be connected to a source of airunder pressure available in another device and not thereforespecifically selected for the atomizing device in question. In othercases still, intermittent dispensing is required of the atomized liquidand consequently a supply of pulsating atomized air withoutdisconnecting or blocking the source of air under pressure, meaning thecompressor. Hence the need to be able to conveniently manage the flowand atomized air pressure in all the nebulizing devices of theaforementioned type and for the aforementioned use.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] On the basis of what has been said, one object of the inventionis to provide an atomizing device, especially for the aforementioneduse, made according to a new, original configuration, arrangement andcombination of parts to ensure simple assembly and able to make iteasier to load the medical or washing liquid into the respective chamberand disassemble the parts in order to access these and clean themwithout any difficulty.

[0008] Another object of the invention is to provide a nebulizing devicefor washing nasal cavities, where the atomizing chamber and the chamberfor collecting secretions are at the same level, defined by a singleintegral piece or by two component parts arranged side by side, with theresult of giving the device a particular and distinctive outwardappearance.

[0009] Another object of the invention is to provide an atomizing devicefor the aforementioned use complete with innovative valves forregulating the flow of atomizing air, so as to maintain this flowpractically constant whatever the pressure of the incoming air thanks tothe automatic release of the excess air towards the outside.

[0010] This appears very advantageous and makes it possible to keep theoperating pressure of the device within the maximum limit level evenwhen the compressor that supplies the air under pressure to which it isconnected is more powerful than necessary, meaning having an operatingpressure above device operating pressure. In other words, the atomizingdevice can also be connected to oversized compressors without affectingcorrect washing liquid atomisation and an appropriate use of theatomized liquid.

[0011] Said objects are achieved, in accordance with the invention, witha nebulizing device for washing the nasal cavities according to claim 1and having an atomized air flow control valve in conformity with claim11.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0012] The nebulizing device of the invention here will be described infurther detail by making reference to the attached drawings,illustrative but not limitative, in which:

[0013]FIG. 1 is a vertical section of the device according to a firstembodiment;

[0014]FIG. 2 is a sectional and separate view of the component parts ofthe device in FIG. 1;

[0015]FIG. 3 is a vertical section of the device according to adifferent realisation of the chambers positioned side by side;

[0016]FIG. 4 represents part of the device seen in the condition of anautomatic vent of the excess air;

[0017]FIG. 4A shows the same view as FIG. 4, but with the button blockedin pressed position; and

[0018]FIG. 5 is a section of a device incorporating a variation of themeans of regulating the atomisation air flow.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] As represented, the device of the invention comprises a possiblebase body 11 and, above this body, two chambers 12, 13 with superimposedan intermediate cover part 14 and a top cover 15. All the componentparts are for example in a plastic material.

[0020] The base body 11, when present, acts both as a support and as agrip for using the device. In said body, a central duct 16 is provided,which open at the top and communicating, through a radial hole 17, witha branch 18 to which a small pipe—not shown—is connected for conveyingair under pressure from a compressor in the direction of the arrow F(FIGS. 1 and 3). According to FIGS. 1-4, the duct 16 features, on thebottom, a vent orifice 19 facing a shutter 20 designed for controllingthe air flow in the duct itself.

[0021] The shutter 20 is fitted, together with a relevant adjustmentspring 21, in a housing 22 which in the example shown, is advantageouslyintegrated with a flexible blade 23. This has an end 23 a blocked andstopped in the body 11 and can be moved by bending, by means of a button24, towards duct 16 to close the orifice 19, and away from the duct byelastic reaction, to open the orifice.

[0022] The two chambers 12, 13 above the body 11 are placed side byside, at the same level. They can each be defined by a respectiveelement 12′, 13′ as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Then, the two elements 12′,13′ that delimit said chambers are both positioned and stopped in thetop part of the base body 11 and are joined by the intermediate part 14when this is superimposed.

[0023] Otherwise, the two chambers 12, 13 can be achieved in a singlepiece 123, as shown in FIG. 3, that fits onto the top part of the basebody 11.

[0024] A first chamber 12 is intended to receive and contain a medicalor washing liquid, in effect constituting a tank and an atomizingchamber for said liquid. The second chamber 13 represents a receptaclefor collecting the return washing liquid and catarrhal matter from thenasal cavities of the user.

[0025] From the bottom of the atomizing chamber 12, a channel 25elevates which below is pressure fitted and sealed with the air duct 16in the base body 11 and above terminates with an injector nozzle 26turned upwards. A tubular cap 27 is fitted around channel 25 anddelimits with the outer surface of this, an annular duct 28. The latter,at the bottom, is open radially towards the chamber 12, near its bottom,and dips into the liquid contained inside, while at the top it joins upwith a atomizer nozzle 29 which is above and aligned with the injectornozzle 26.

[0026] This way, the flow of air from the duct 16, moves up the channel25 and passing through the injector nozzle 26, sucks up because of thevacuum formed, the washing liquid from the bottom of chamber 12, forcingthis through the atomizer nozzle 29 and forming an atomized liquidsuitable for washing the nasal cavities.

[0027] The flow of atomized air in channel 25 can be regulated by meansof the shutter 20, associated with the vent orifice 19 and moved bymeans of button 24. For this purpose, the movement by bending of blade23 towards duct 16 is restricted, directly or indirectly (FIG. 4), by astop 23′, and the shutter 20 is movable axially in its housing 22contrasted by the adjustment spring 21. This spring can be selectedand/or calibrated so that even when the button is pressed fully downuntil the blade 23 is resting against stop 23′, and to move the shutter20 to vent orifice 19 obstruction position, the shutter itself can moveback (FIG. 4) in case of excessive pressure in the duct 25, therebyopening the orifice 19 to release air outwards according to the arrow Gand cause automatic reduction of the pressure to the value prescribedand desired for better device operation in terms of yield and size ofnebulized liquid particles.

[0028] In addition, button 24 can be fitted for locking in the ventorifice closing pressed position and in any case to permit automatic airrelease due to reverse movement of the shutter in the event of excessivepressure. This being such, the button can be configured, or movable inrelation to the blade supporting it, as shown in FIG. 4A, or otherwiseassociated with means that enable it to stop in said pressed position,without having to restrain it manually.

[0029] Constructively, the intermediate cover part 14 rests and isrestrained on the top of the two elements 12′, 13′ or of the singlepiece 123 delimiting the two chambers 12,13, covering both of these andproviding access to each of them when removed. In any case, saidintermediate part 14 features, on the one side, a concentrator 30 of theatomized liquid that narrows towards the top and which is in line withthe atomizer nozzle 29 of the nebulizing chamber 12 and, on the otherside, a return opening 31 located above the collection chamber 13.

[0030] The top cover 15 rests on intermediate part 14. Its basesurrounds and encloses the concentrator 30 and the return opening 31 inintermediate part 14, while the remainder features a truncated coneshaped exit section 32, positioned in line with the concentrator 30 andacting as a conveyor and dispenser of the atomized liquid towards thenasal cavity for envisaged washing action, but also for the recovery ofthe washing secretions towards the collection chamber 13.

[0031] Around the truncated cone exit section 32 is envisaged an annularchannel 33 on the bottom of which are a number of holes 34 for furthertransit into the collection chamber 13 of the return liquid and thecatarrhal matter also coming from the imperfect coupling between noseand device.

[0032] Finally, the atomizing device, in a simplified embodiment shownin FIG. 5, while always featuring the two adjacent chambers 12,13, maybe without the shutter and relevant control parts, and the flow ofatomized air can be modulated manually with a finger by means of anintermittent orifice 35, joined to a duct 16 conveying air underpressure and which is facing onto one side of the base body.Furthermore, upstream of the intermittent orifice 35 will be acalibrated vent hole 36 for the controlled release of excess air andpressure adjustment.

1. A device for washing the nasal cavities with a nebulized treatmentliquid, comprising a base body, a atomizer chamber containing a washingliquid, means for taking from and nebulizing the liquid in said chamberand for dispensing the atomized liquid to the nasal cavities forwashing, and a chamber for collecting the return liquid and catarrhalmatter from the nasal cavities, characterised in that the atomizerchamber (12) and collection chamber (13) are positioned side by sideabove the base body, and the collection chamber communicates with adispensing exit of the atomized liquid to the nasal cavities.
 2. Adevice for washing the nasal cavities with a nebulized treatment liquidby means of a flow of air under pressure, comprising a base body (11),an atomizer chamber (12) containing the treatment liquid, means fortaking from and atomizing the liquid in said chamber and for dispensingthe atomized liquid for use, a chamber for collecting the return liquidand catarrhal matter, a duct (16) for conveying air under pressure tosaid taking and atomizer means, and where said duct for conveying airunder pressure features a vent hole (19), characterised in fact that theatomizer chamber (12) and collection chamber (13) are positioned side byside above the base body, and the collection chamber (13) communicateswith a dispensing exit of the nebulized liquid to the nasal cavities,and in fact that a shutter (20) associated with the vent hole (19) ofsaid duct and placed on board an elastic blade (23), flexible, securedto the body, is movable by means of a button (24) to move the shutter toclosed and open positions of a vent orifice (19) joined to said duct. 3.The device according to claim 1 or 2, where in the atomizer chamber (12)and the collection chamber (13) are each delineated by a respectiveelement, and where in the two elements are joined side by side,associated at the bottom with the base body and joined at the top by anintermediate cover part (14).
 4. The device according to claim 1 or 2,wherein the atomizer chamber (12) and the collection chamber (13) areboth defined by a single piece associated at the bottom with the basebody and on the top with an intermediate cover part (14).
 5. The deviceaccording to claims 1 or 2, wherein a channel (25) elevates from thebottom of the atomizer chamber (12) and communicates, on one side, withthe duct conveying air under pressure at base body level and features,on the other side, an injector nozzle placed in line with a atomizernozzle which receives the washing liquid taken from the atomizerchamber.
 6. The device according to claim 5, wherein the intermediatecover part (14) features on the one side a concentrator of atomizedliquid and on the other side a return opening above the collectionchamber (13), and where on said intermediate cover part (14) is arrangeda cover (15) having a base that surrounds the concentrator and returnopening in the intermediate cover part (14) and a truncated cone shapedsection in line with the concentrator and acting as an external exit forthe nebulized liquid and an inlet for the return liquid and catarrhalmatter into the collection chamber.
 7. The device according to claim 2,wherein said shutter (20) associated with the vent hole (19) of duct(16) is on board an elastic blade (23), flexible, secured to the basebody, and movable by means of a button (24) to move the shutter toclosed and open positions of a vent orifice (19) and control the flow ofair towards the injector nozzle.
 8. The device according to claim 7,where said shutter (20) is housed with an adjustment spring (21) in ahousing on board said elastic blade (23), said shutter being associatedwith the vent orifice (19) with the possibility, when in closedposition, of moving away from, and opening, said orifice contrasted bysaid spring in the case of excessive pressure in said duct.
 9. Thedevice according to claim 7, wherein said button (24) can be locked fastin pressed position, said button being movable in relation to the bladeand/or associated with means for stopping it in said pressed position.10. The device according to claim 1, wherein the duct for conveying airunder pressure (16) is joined to an intermittent orifice (35)accessible, openable and closable with a finger to modulate the flow ofair towards the injector nozzle (26), and where upstream of saidintermittent orifice a calibrated hole (36) is envisaged for releasingthe air and adjusting excess pressure.
 11. A valve device forcontrolling atomized air flow and pressure in electrical medicalappliances which comprise a base body (11), at least one atomizerchamber (12) containing a treatment liquid, means for taking andatomizing liquid from said chamber and dispensing the atomized liquidtowards the user, a duct (16) for conveying air under pressure to saidtaking and atomizing means, and where said duct for conveying air underpressure features a vent hole (19), characterised in that a shutter (20)associated with the vent hole of said duct (16) and positioned on boardan elastic blade (23), flexible, secured to the body and movable bymeans of a button (24) to move the shutter to closed and open positionsof said vent orifice (19).
 12. The valve device according to claim 11,wherein said shutter (20) is housed with an adjustment spring (21) in ahousing on board said elastic blade (23) and is associated with the ventorifice (19) with the possibility, when in closed position, of movingaway from, and opening, said orifice contrasted by said spring in caseof excessive pressure in said duct.
 13. The valve device according toclaim 11, wherein said button (24) can be locked fast in pressedposition, said button being movable in relation to the blade and/orassociated with means for stopping it in said pressed position.
 14. Thevalve device according to claim 12, wherein the elastic blade (23) isassociated with a stationary stop position (23′) intended to restrictits movement towards the vent orifice when pressed by means of thecontrol button.